Zandvoort's chequered history: From Nazi parade route to F1 circuit

Few circuits in the world are as instantly recognisable as Circuit Zandvoort. Cut into the Dutch dunes by the North Sea, its sweeping corners, relentless elevation changes, and unmistakable seaside backdrop have made it one of racing’s most distinctive stages.

Like many other classic tracks, Zandvoort has lived through glory, following by decline, and then a revival, as it made its way back into the Formula 1 calendar.

The circuit traces its roots to 1939, when a street race inspired local leaders to pursue a permanent track.

Despite delays caused by World War II, Mayor H. van Alphen cleverly convinced occupying German forces to build what would become the Zandvoort’s main straight under the guise of a parade route.

After the war, city authorities and the Dutch Automobile Racing Club created a panel to design a semi-permanent circuit weaving through the dunes.

Although then-chairman of the Dutch Auto Racing Club and renowned circuit designer John Hugenholtz has often been credited with Zandvoort’s creation, it’s thought Le Mans winner and journalist Sammy Davis was the main force behind its layout – though it largely connects what were once local roads.

Construction used rubble from destroyed hotels for the foundation, finishing with paving and facilities for the inaugural race on August 7, 1948.

From its inception, Zandvoort quickly became popular among drivers and teams, hosting the first Dutch Grand Prix in 1952.

1948–1972: Original Layout

Between 1948 and 1972, Zandvoort was renowned for its fast and flowing original layout, which snaked naturally through the sand dunes on the Dutch coast.

The track measured around 4.3km and was dominated by high-speed corners, many of which could be taken at full throttle, presenting a thrilling challenge for drivers and a spectacular sight for fans.

Unlike later years, artificial slow zones or chicanes were absent, and run-off areas were minimal, so spectators often gathered right at the edge of the dunes to watch the races.

The design followed the undulations of the landscape, creating iconic sections such as the Tarzan, Scheivlak, and Bosuit corners.

Facilities at the time included a simple pitlane and grandstand, with the public roads that formed part of the track gradually being closed off as Zandvoort became a fully enclosed venue.

Late 1970s–1980s: Safety-driven changes

In the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, in line with most of the circuits hosting F1 races in that period, Zandvoort underwent significant layout changes to address increasing safety concerns and evolving regulations.

The once unbroken sequence of high-speed corners began to be interrupted with new chicanes and reprofiled sections designed to slow the cars and protect drivers.

The first major modification arrived in 1973, when the fast Bosuit corner was replaced with the Panorama Corner, a new chicane aimed at reducing speed before entering a dangerous stretch.

Further alterations followed in the early 1980s as the Marlboro Corner chicane was added, again targeting sections considered too fast or exposed, particularly in wet or crowded race conditions.

The identity of the circuit changed as a result, and Zandvoort gradually transformed into a more technical challenge with slower sections, improved barriers, and safer run-off areas.

F1 ran the Dutch GP of its first ‘era’ in 1985, not returning for almost 40 years.

1989: Major shortening

In 1989, Zandvoort underwent one of the most dramatic transformations in its history, marking the end of the original high-speed layout and the beginning of an interim era.

This change was driven by a combination of financial difficulties, political pressures, and the desire to repurpose part of the circuit land for a holiday resort and golf course.

As a result, more than half of the original circuit was lost, and the length was shrunk to just 2.5km (1.5 miles), retaining only a fraction of the classic track through the dunes.

The interim circuit removed long-established sections like the southern loop and the signature high-speed corners, leaving a much more compact and less challenging club layout.

The paddock and pit facilities were updated to support this scaled-down version, but the spirit of Zandvoort as a grand prix venue was, for the time being, lost.

Many of the original corners sat abandoned or were built over, and it would be another decade before expansion efforts brought the track closer to its former glory.

1999: Re-extension

The spring of 1999 marked a revival for Zandvoort after nearly a decade of uncertainty and restricted racing on its shortened interim layout.

Following prolonged legal and financial hurdles, construction began at the end of 1998 on an extension that would reconnect the circuit’s historic demanding section from Hunzerug to Scheivlak, bringing back much of the original excitement and racing challenge that had defined Zandvoort’s identity.

The newly extended configuration saw the circuit’s length restored and its status elevated.

Only the last corner leading onto the start/finish straight remained from the 1948 design in the southern part of the track, while other areas were rerouted inland to accommodate previous land repurposing for holiday developments.

This major rebuild included new pit facilities, upgraded infrastructure, and improved run-off areas, addressing both safety and operational concerns.

The restoration and modernisation turned Zandvoort back into a world-class venue and several top racing series – such as DTM from 2001 and A1GP from 2006 – returned as a result.

2020: Preparing for F1’s return

In May 2019 it was confirmed that F1 would return to Zandvoort, with a large-scale upgrade being carried out by circuit designer Dromo as a result.

In preparation for that undertaking after a 36-year absence, the track underwent a comprehensive series of renovations and upgrades designed to meet the stringent safety and technical standards required for modern F1 racing.

One of the most striking changes was the introduction of banked corners, a rare feature in contemporary F1 circuits, which revived Zandvoort’s classic racing character while adding new strategic and technical challenges.

The Hugenholtz Corner was repositioned and rebuilt with progressive banking to enhance cornering speeds and overtaking opportunities. Similarly, the Arie Luyendyk Corner received significant banking – approximately 18 degrees – allowing drivers to maintain higher speeds through this section.